My 7 year old son broke his wrist a few days ago and has to have a full arm cast due to ligament damage as well :( We had them put on a waterproof cast but I have read to still keep it as dry as possible which we have so far. As with many casts he is itching underneath. Last night I had to give him benadryl in the middle of the night because it was so bad :( I don't want to have to rely on this. We also used a blow dryer on cool and it helped briefly. Anyone have any recommendations to help reduce the itching? Thanks!
I feel your son's pain!
When I was around 10 ish, I had to have a leg in a cast. I had just started shaving my legs, and I thought the itching would drive me insane. I used a coat hanger and baby powder, which I would not recommend.
I am thinking maybe a baby bottle brush would be thin enough, and not invasive, and maybe give him a good scratch?
Hope the cast comes off soon.
Do NOT stick anything inside the cast!! If it scratches or cuts the skin it can create a horrible infection!!! (And if something gets stuck down in the cast you have to have it removed and replaced...$$$$).
Ice packs on the cast, benedryl (mostly to knock them out so they can rest), and sympathy is all you can really do. (The cool hairdryer never really worked for my son but that sounds nice).
My son had a cast from the tips of his fingers to half way between his elbow and shoulder. The itching was the worst at night when he tried to fall asleep.
Call the orthopedist who put on the cast's office and see if they have any suggestions.
You can put ice bags on it to help cool it down.
When I had my waterproof cast on my entire leg I would get in the shower and soak it down then pour a little shampoo in and gently move the cast up and down. Suds would come out everywhere!
I would rinse and rinse it until no more suds came out. Then I would use a blow dryer on low heat high fan and dry it or sit outside in the fresh air and let it dry. The waterproof casts/fiberglass casts are wonderful and of course not meant to soak in water but they can handle being wet at least once per week if you take good care of it afterwards and get it dry.
When it came off I had zero dead skin and my skin hardly ever itched.
I'd say if he's itching so bad you had to give him Benadryl that he may be allergic to the substance touching his skin. That's worth checking out.
This was a lifesaver for us...doesn't hurt the skin and allows them to itch. Super fast shipping too.
What you're doing is what I've always heard recommended (those very 2 things).
Definitely don't stick anything down the cast - they always tell you not to do that - it could cause an infection, and that can get nasty. Then you have a whole other problem to worry about.
Benadryl should be fine but you can always check with your doctor for long term use.
Good luck :)
Get a long knitting or crocheting needle at a craft or sewing store. It is thin, strong and slightly flexible.
When my son had a cast (one time for wrist, one time for arm-long cast), the ortho nurse suggested to, "tap, tap, tap on the cast not scratch, scratch, scratch". He used a ruler to tap. Cool setting from blow dryer, ice pack and antihistamines were also used.
